The House of Delegates considered several pieces of proposed legislation, heard a memorial resolution for the late James M. Casey, and listened to several noteworthy remarks from delegates at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 4 in the House Chamber.
The House of Delegates first adopted and read aloud House Resolution 10, a resolution honoring the late James Michael Casey, who passed this past October.
James Michael Casey was honored for being a former member of the House of Delegates, as well as an active attorney. He was also a lobbyist, and an “advocate for his community”. The House honored him and his family, who were present to accept the resolution.
There were second bills on third reading on this day, the 27th day of the legislative session.
House Bill 2607 is a bill that would make certain technical changes to existing code regarding the licensure of nursing homes. It would change the language to revise the reportage requirements for licensed nursing homes in the state. The strike-and-insert legislation cleans up some language in the previous code in order to better specify the Secretary of DHHR’s administrative responsibilities, as well as specify the requirements of licensed state nursing homes as far as reportage goes.
The bill passed the House and was advanced to the Senate for further consideration.
House Bill 2612 would authorize the Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources to update rules regarding the source water protection plans throughout the state. Currently, each public water utility is mandated to report the status of their water and a water protection plan to the state commission every three years. This bill would allow the timeframe of this reportage to be more flexible in order to give these water utilities more time to review the status of their water protection.
House Bill 2612 was unanimously passed as well, and advanced to the Senate for further consideration.
Bills on second reading that were advanced include Senate Bill 268, Senate Bill 269, House Bill 2004, House Bill 2420, House Bill 2666, and House Bill 2668.
House Bill 2420, another bill on second reading, was postponed for one day.
House Bill 2691 and House Bill 2779 were also read for the first time on this day.
Several Delegates made noteworthy remarks at the end of this House floor session.
Delegate Evan Hansen, D- Monongalia, spoke of his sponsorship of House Bill 2589. Hansen described this bill as a piece of legislation that would loosen energy restrictions on West Virginia companies, and allow the state to be more inclusive of companies utilizing solar energy.
“The fastest growing energy sector is that of solar energy,” Hansen said. “Like it or not, the world is changing. You can dig in your heels and keep making the current economy look like the economy has for fifty years, but I ask that you support all job options—not just the ones that have sustained us for the past century.”
Delegate Dianna Graves, R- Kanawha, made comments commending the bipartisanship within the House this legislative session.
“I’m impressed with how bipartisan we have been under the current Speaker,” Graves said. “Lifting all boats doesn’t work if half of us are left behind, so let’s keep this up.”
The House of Delegates is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, February 5th.
The following committees will meet today after the House Floor Session:
-The House Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 1 p.m. in 215-E.
-The House Committee on Finance will meet at 2 p.m. in 460-M.
-The House Committee on the Judiciary will continue their morning meeting at 2 p.m. in 410-M.
-The House Committee on Government Organization will meet at 2 p.m. in 215-E.
-The House Committee on Education will meet at 3 p.m. in 434-M.
-The House Committee on Fire and Emergency Medical Services will meet at 4 p.m. in 215-E.
The following committees will meet tomorrow before the House Floor Session:
-The House Committee on Agricultural and Natural Resources will meet at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow in 215-E.
-The House Committee on Industry and Labor will meet at 10 a.m. tomorrow in 215-E.
